Police Commission Letter to City Council
Requesting Consideration of a Ballot Measure
to Hire More Police Officers

EDITOR'S NOTE: On December 7, 2004, the LAPD Board of Police Commissioners approved the following letter requesting the City Council place on the Los Angeles Citywide election on May 17, 2005, a ballot measure to increase sales tax by a half-cent to fund the hiring of additional police officers.

This is the LAPD's official letter, written by David S. Cunningham,III, President of the Police Commission:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS David S. Cunningham, III President Alan J. Skobin Vice President Corina Alarcon Rick J. Caruso Rose Ochi Julie Valenzuela Commission Exec Asst. II

JAMES K. HAHN MAYOR

Richard Tefank Executive Director Andre Birotte Inspector General EXECUTIVE OFFICE Suite 144-150, Parker Center 150 N. Los Angeles Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 213 / 485-3531 phone 213 / 485-8861 fax 213 / 485-9818 TTY

December 7, 2004

Members of The Honorable City Council
City of Los Angeles
c/o City Clerk Office
200 North Spring Street Room 360
Los Angeles, Ca 90012

Dear Council Members:

The "Los Angeles County Public Safety Emergency Response and Crime Prevention Measure," commonly referred to as "Measure A," garnered a 64% approval rate within the City of Los Angeles, and in many of your districts, it rated even higher. The people of this City have sent a loud and clear message to us: they want increased public safety in Los Angeles and they are willing to pay for it. While we believe a Countywide approach is preferred due to the inclusion of the prosecution and custody components of law enforcement, we also feel that we cannot allow the failure of Measure A to determine the level of public safety in the City of Los Angeles. We must take the next step as a City. This Commission is respectfully asking that you consider the voters' request and open the debate to place a measure on the Los Angeles Citywide General Election ballot on May 17, 2005, to hire more Los Angeles Police Department officers through a half-cent sales tax increase.

Many of you have already expressed your reflection of the voters' voice. And in addition, you have stated that a new measure would need to be clear in its intent, and this Commission agrees completely. The voters need to know that money raised from this proposed measure would go directly to the hiring of more officers for LAPD. Of course, more officers do require support and equipment, yet the intent of this measure is singular, and that is to have more officers on the streets of Los Angeles.

This effort is an investment in Los Angeles that will be very profitable in many ways for the people of this City. First, public safety in Los Angeles will be enhanced. The value of this item alone is immeasurable. People will feel safer walking on the sidewalks, shopping in the stores, driving on the streets, and having their children play in the parks.

Second, the subsequent effect of a safer city will equate to economic growth for Los Angeles as businesses will begin to return to a city that embraces safety, stability and family values.

The members of this Commission are eager and available to assist the City Council in any way that we can in answering the people of Los Angeles in their desire for more police officers. Your consideration of our request is greatly appreciated as we look forward to a dynamic and successful campaign.

Very truly yours,

DAVID S. CUNNINGHAM, III, President
Board of Police Commissioners